A BRILLIANT century from Sohail Rauf helped Alderley Edge moved up to fifth in the table despite being held to a draw against Oxton.

The Indian overseas star struck a magnificent 101 as the Moss Lane club took 16 points from the high-scoring contest, compared to the home side's eight-point haul.

Having previously starred with the ball, this was the day that Rauf showed his true class with the bat. Starting slowly, he built his innings with a determination to play himself into form.

However, after reaching 50, Rauf opened up with a full range of shots which formed the backbone of Edge's respectable 232 for 8.

With Edge favourites for victory, Phil Kay once again struck early with a ball that swung in late to take the off-stump of a batsman who was leaving the ball. On this occasion it was Oxton's dangerous captain Dave Mitchell.

After that it was a close-fought contest with both sides appearing to be on top at different times, but the game eventually ended in a draw with Alderley's most successful bowlers, Rauf and Alan Day, taking two wickets each.

Alderley's league clash was sandwiched between two spectacular cup victories.

Edge dismissed Congleton for 32 in 7.1 overs in just 28 minutes in the Surridge Fred Graham Twenty20 Trophy - one of the quickest victories in Cheshire County League history. Rauf was again the star performer with 47 and 5-14 as Alderley romped to a 146-run win.

And on Sunday the Cheshire club completed a successful week when they defeated Bredbury St Marks by 91 runs in the third round of the Cheshire Cup. Big centuries from Simon James (145) and captain Mark Currie (138 not out) saw Alderley amass a huge 336 for 6 off just 45 overs. This proved beyond Bredbury, despite a valiant effort to reach 265 for 6.

Edge entertain Neston on Saturday (1pm).

MOBBERLEY went down by 16 runs against Grappenhall in a tight finish at Broad Lane in division three after falling just short of the visitors' 213 for 9, despite the efforts of Jonny Thompson (65).